Press Releases

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers today issued the following statement on the request by President Obama for additional emergency funding to address the humanitarian and border enforcement crisis on the Southwestern border and to provide additional funding for wildland fire disasters.

“My Committee will soon receive a request from the White House for an additional $4.3 billion in emergency funding to address the ongoing humanitarian and border enforcement crisis on our nation’s southern border, and to fight wildland fires that cause millions of dollars in damage every year.

“In the next few days and weeks, my Committee will take a close and a thorough look at this funding request, and as per the normal Congressional process, will make our own determination on how to appropriately and wisely use taxpayer resources.

“Plainly, the situation for many of these unaccompanied children is extremely dire, and the United States has both a security and a moral obligation to help solve the crisis at hand.

“It is clear that additional funding will be needed to ensure the proper care of these unaccompanied children, to enforce the law, and to further secure our border so that these problems can be mitigated in the short term. Our Committee will focus on providing what is necessary to meet these ongoing needs.

“It is also apparent that additional funding to prevent and fight wildland fires – especially in the West where the damage has been so great – is necessary. Our Committee will review this proposal, and will respond appropriately to ensure that proper assistance is available to help the people and communities affected by these devastating fires.”